Companies House WebFiling Closing: What Changes in 2028
Companies House is ending its free WebFiling service for annual accounts on 1 April 2028. From this date, all UK companies must file their accounts using commercial software.
> Two different services. The joint HMRC and Companies House service for filing accounts together with the Company Tax Return closed on 31 March 2026. Companies House WebFiling for accounts is a separate service and stays open until 1 April 2028. Companies House originally planned software-only filing for April 2027 and moved it back a year.
This is a separate change from HMRC's CT600 service closure (31 March 2026), though both are driven by the same legislation.
What Is Closing?
Companies House WebFiling for Accounts
The free service that lets you:
- Create annual accounts online through Companies House website
- Submit accounts directly without any software
- File abridged accounts (shortened versions)
What Stays Open
Companies House WebFiling remains available for:
- Confirmation statements (annual return replacement)
- Director appointments and changes
- Registered office changes
- Other statutory filings
Why Is This Happening?
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) 2023 requires:
- Enhanced data validation — Software must validate accounts before submission
- Mandatory iXBRL tagging — All accounts must be in iXBRL format
- Improved accuracy — Reduce errors in company financial information
- Greater transparency — More detailed information on the public register
Key Dates
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 31 March 2026 | HMRC's CT600 free service closes |
| 1 April 2028 | Companies House WebFiling for accounts closes |
| 1 April 2028 | Paper filing for accounts also ends |
| 1 April 2028 | Abridged accounts abolished |
What Changes for Different Company Types
Micro-Entity Companies
Before April 2028:
- File abbreviated balance sheet only
- Use WebFiling or software
- Option to file abridged accounts
- Must file balance sheet AND profit and loss account
- Software-only filing
- No more abridged option
- Must use iXBRL format
Small Companies
Before April 2028:
- Can file filleted (abbreviated) accounts
- WebFiling or software
- Must file balance sheet, profit and loss, directors' report
- Auditor's report (unless audit exempt)
- Software-only filing
Dormant Companies
Before April 2028:
- Simple dormant accounts through WebFiling
- Minimal disclosure
- Must use commercial software
- Same dormant accounts format
- iXBRL tagging required
What Is iXBRL?
iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language) is a format that:
- Embeds machine-readable tags in human-readable documents
- Allows Companies House to automatically extract financial data
- Improves data quality and reduces manual processing
- Is already required for CT600 accounts
Abridged Accounts: What's Happening?
Currently
Companies can file "abridged" accounts showing:
- Limited balance sheet information
- No profit and loss account for micro-entities
- Reduced disclosure
From April 2028
Abridged accounts are abolished. All companies must file:
- Full balance sheet (appropriate to size)
- Profit and loss account
- Notes to accounts (as required)
How to Prepare
Step 1: Understand Your Deadlines
What matters is the date you file, not your year end:
- Accounts filed before 1 April 2028: You can still use WebFiling
- Accounts filed on or after 1 April 2028: Software-only filing applies
Step 2: Choose Software Early
Don't wait until your filing is due. Options include:
Free options:
- TinyTax — From £20/year for micro-entity accounts and CT600
- TaxCalc, IRIS, Sage, and others
Step 3: Learn the New Requirements
Understand what your company must file:
| Company Type | What You Must File |
|---|---|
| Micro-entity | Balance sheet + P&L |
| Small | Balance sheet + P&L + Directors' report |
| Medium/Large | Full statutory accounts |
Step 4: Prepare for More Disclosure
If you've been filing abridged accounts, your financial information will become more public. Consider:
- What the profit and loss will reveal
- Whether you need to restructure before filing
- How competitors might view your finances
Combined Filing: HMRC and Companies House
Many software packages handle both:
- CT600 filing to HMRC
- Accounts filing to Companies House
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly does WebFiling close?
1 April 2028 for accounts filing. Other services (confirmation statements, director changes) remain available.Can I still file paper accounts?
No. Paper filing for accounts ends at the same time as WebFiling closes.What about dormant companies?
Dormant companies must also use software from April 2028. The accounts format stays simple, but the filing method changes.Is there any exemption?
Unlike HMRC's CT600 closure, there's no exemption pathway announced for Companies House accounts. All companies must use software.What if I miss the deadline?
Late filing penalties apply regardless of whether you intended to use WebFiling. Plan ahead to file on time.Will filing take longer with software?
Not necessarily. Good software can be faster than WebFiling because it auto-populates data and validates as you go.Do I need separate software for Companies House and HMRC?
No. TinyTax and other comprehensive solutions handle both in one package.Summary
- Companies House WebFiling for accounts closes 1 April 2028
- All companies must use commercial software (free options exist)
- Abridged accounts are abolished — more disclosure required
- Micro-entities must file profit and loss account
- Paper filing also ends
- Other WebFiling services continue
TinyTax offers affordable accounts filing for micro-entities. Get started →